Tag

Mail Theft

All articles tagged with #mail theft

crime4 days ago•2 min saved

Houston postal carriers tied to $23M stolen-check scheme

Five people, including three Houston postal carriers, have been federally charged in a six-year scheme that allegedly stole and sold more than $23 million in checks. Recruited carriers allegedly removed checks from the mail and advertised them on Telegram in a group called 'Slips and Chips,' with the largest identified check at $1.5 million. Stolen checks were shipped to buyers via FedEx; Alyssa Bryant is accused of selling a stolen check for $25,000. All defendants face federal charges and are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

via ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos|

#check-fraud #crime #federal-charges

true-crime27 days ago•55 min saved

Postal Worker Arrested in Florida for Stealing Winning Lottery Ticket

A Broward County USPS letter carrier, Lakaysha Lockhart, was arrested on July 23 after allegedly stealing a Florida Lottery winning ticket from the mail and redeeming a $2,600 prize at the Florida Lottery Miami District Office. The joint Florida Lottery Security and USPS OIG investigation said Lockhart admitted taking the ticket and cashing it. She faces multiple charges, including grand theft, mail theft, dealing in stolen property, filing a false claim for payment, and two counts of unlawful use of a two-way communications device; cases will be prosecuted separately due to multi-circuit jurisdiction.

via AOL.com|

#florida-lottery #grand-theft #local-crime

local3 months ago•3 min saved

Marysville Residents Fortify Mailboxes After Master-Key Theft

After a master mailbox key was stolen in Marysville, putting about 70,000 residents at risk, thieves are believed to have duplicated keys via 3D printing; neighbors have installed alarms, sensors, cameras and license-plate readers to deter theft, with police forming a proactive surveillance unit to review footage as arrests remain challenging.

via KING5.com|

#3d-printing #local #mail-theft

crime8 months ago•1 min saved

Rise in High-Volume Mail Theft Attacks

Mail theft attacks in the US are increasing, with 52,000 incidents in 2024, up from 2,000 in 2010, as thieves become more brazen and law enforcement efforts struggle with limited resources, despite significant investments by postal authorities.

via ABC7 Los Angeles|

#crime #federal-crime #mail-theft

crime11 months ago•2 min saved

Long Island Woman Loses $20,000 in Check Washing Scam

A Long Island woman lost $20,000 in a check washing scheme after her checks were stolen from a mailbox and altered by thieves, highlighting a growing low-tech crime trend on Long Island. Police and postal inspectors advise paying electronically or in person to prevent mail theft.

via CBS News|

#check-washing #crime #fraud

crime2 years ago•1 min saved

"USPS Offers $150K Reward for Robbery Information in Oakland and Summerlin"

A U.S. Postal Service Letter Carrier was maced and robbed of her mail keys in Summerlin, marking the third attack in the area since September last year. Residents fear for the safety of their personal information and are advised to check their mail daily to prevent theft. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is offering a $150,000 reward for information leading to the suspect's conviction.

via News3LV|

#crime #mail-theft #postal-inspector

crime-and-justice2 years ago•1 min saved

"Rising Letter Carrier Robberies Prompt Urgent Action from USPS and Union"

Despite the launch of Project Safe Delivery and hundreds of arrests, the number of postal carrier robberies in 2023 rose by nearly 30%, with injuries doubling. Legislation is being introduced in Congress to address the issue, including accelerating the replacement of mailbox keys and boosting prosecutions. While there has been a recent dip in robberies and an increase in arrests, postal carriers continue to be targeted, prompting calls for more action to protect them.

via Newser|

#crime-and-justice #legislation #letter-carrier-robberies

crime2 years ago•1 min saved

"Terrifying Video: USPS Worker Narrowly Escapes Being Run Over in Post Office Heist"

Thieves in Fullerton were caught on video nearly running over a Postal Service worker as they fled in a car with stolen mail from a post office. Police quickly located and arrested three suspects, recovering a U.S. Postal Service crate with "hundreds of pieces of mail" from their vehicle. The suspects face charges of mail theft, assault, and assault with a deadly weapon, and authorities are investigating potential connections to other crimes in the area.

via KABC-TV|

#arrests #crime #fullerton

crime2 years ago•1 min saved

Holiday Season Sees Surge in Porch Pirate Thefts

Porch pirate thefts are increasing during the holiday season in South Burlington and surrounding areas, with multiple reports of stolen packages. Residents are advised to track packages online, be present for delivery, get a post office box, or invest in a locking mailbox to protect their mail. South Burlington Police are scanning Ring camera footage and have leads but have not made any arrests yet.

via WCAX|

#crime #holiday-season #locking-mailbox

finance2 years ago•10 min saved

The Growing Threat of Check Fraud: Thieves' Advantage

The decline in check usage has not deterred fraudsters, who have increasingly turned to check fraud, costing financial institutions billions. Criminals leverage technology and social media to commit fraud on a grand scale, using stolen checks purchased online and altering them with basic tools like nail polish remover. The surge in mail theft during the pandemic has further fueled check fraud. Banks and credit unions are expected to file a record number of suspicious activity reports tied to check fraud this year. However, anti-fraud measures by banks can sometimes misfire, freezing or shutting down innocent customers' accounts. The complex nature of check fraud investigations and the lack of communication between banks make it difficult to determine liability and resolve cases promptly, leaving victims frustrated. Despite the risks, check usage remains popular among consumers for certain transactions.

via Yahoo News|

#banking-security #check-fraud #finance

crime2 years ago•2 min saved

Porch Pirate Caught Red-Handed Stealing Packages in Aiea

A porch pirate was caught on camera stealing three packages from a home in Aiea, Hawaii. The victim filed a police report and submitted the footage to the U.S. Postal Service, who emphasized the importance of such evidence for investigations. To prevent theft, the Postal Service suggests insuring high-value gifts, requiring a signature upon delivery, and picking up parcels directly from the Post Office. Mail theft carries fines of up to $250,000 and up to 5 years in prison.

via KHON2|

#crime #mail-theft #package-delivery

crime2 years ago•2 min saved

USPS Celebrates Success in Curbing Postal Crime and Carrier Robberies with Numerous Arrests

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced a crackdown on postal crime, resulting in over 600 arrests since May. The increase in mail theft and carrier robberies has prompted law enforcement officials to take action, with criminals targeting carriers' universal keys and stealing mail. The USPS is replacing tens of thousands of these keys with electronic locks to prevent theft. The Postal Service has also deployed high-security blue boxes and implemented changes to reduce fraudulent change-of-address transactions and counterfeit postage. The penalties for interfering with the mail are severe, with theft punishable by up to five years in prison and assaulting a mail carrier carrying a potential 10-year sentence.

via WSB Atlanta|

#arrests #carrier-robberies #crime

crime2 years ago•2 min saved

USPS Takes Action: Combating Postal Crimes and Protecting Workers

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced over 600 arrests since May as part of a crackdown on mail theft and carrier robberies. Criminals have been targeting carriers' "arrow keys" to gain access to mailboxes, with carriers being accosted at gunpoint. The USPS is replacing tens of thousands of universal keys with electronic locks to reduce robberies, and has deployed high-security blue boxes in high-risk locations. The Postal Service has also implemented changes to reduce fraudulent change-of-address transactions and counterfeit postage. The penalty for interfering with the mail can be up to five years in prison for theft, up to 10 years for possession or disposal of postal property, and up to 10 years for assaulting a mail carrier.

via FOX19|

#arrests #carrier-robberies #crime

governmentpostal-service2 years ago•3 min saved

USPS Struggles to Combat Rising Mail Theft and Neglects to Alert Customers

The USPS inspector general has criticized the agency's incomplete and insufficient plans to address the increasing incidents of mail theft across the country. The USPS's initiative, Project Safe Delivery, lacks milestones and timelines, leading to few concrete results. Surges of personnel in high-risk areas resulted in only three arrests and 277 recovered mail pieces. USPS is replacing "arrow" keys with electronic alternatives and deploying high-security mailboxes, but these efforts are limited due to funding constraints. The agency has not finalized an overall plan to address mail theft and is urged to develop a comprehensive strategy with costs, timelines, and metrics. The Postal Inspection Service is also called upon to finalize its mail theft strategic plan.

via GovExec.com|

#governmentpostal-service #inspector-general #mail-theft

crime2 years ago•1 min saved

Ex-Postal Worker Arrested for Allegedly Stealing $1.7M in Mail Checks

A former USPS worker in Washington, D.C., has been charged with mail theft and bank fraud for allegedly stealing nearly $1.7 million in checks from the mail over an 18-month period. The accused worker, Hachikosela Muchimba, deposited the checks into his own bank account by removing the payee's name and replacing it with his own. Many of the checks were U.S. Treasury checks, and Muchimba was caught on bank surveillance cameras withdrawing the money from ATMs. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison for bank fraud and 5 years for mail fraud.

via WJW FOX 8 News Cleveland|

#bank-fraud #crime #investigation